Director of Data Science

Overview

National Debt Relief (NDR) is seeking a highly technical and hands-on Director of Data Science to lead a growing team of machine learning practitioners and data science product partners within the Data & AI organization. As a key member of the Data & AI leadership team, the Director of Data Science will oversee the end-to-end development, deployment, and monitoring of predictive and prescriptive machine learning models across core business functions. This role is ideal for a rising leader with strong prior experience in both individual contributor and team management roles—someone who is looking for their first Director title but is already fluent in production-grade ML deployment and the strategic framing of data science work.

 

You will lead a high-performing team focused on driving value through supervised and unsupervised learning models, partnering with stakeholders in product, engineering, and operations to prioritize high-ROI use cases. You will be responsible for setting vision and roadmap for data science initiatives, owning model performance and business impact, and enabling operationalized ML capabilities via batch inference and real-time APIs. You will also work closely with the Director of Data Engineering and the ML/AI Ops Engineer to ensure all deployments are robust, scalable, and aligned with best practices in model governance and MLOps.

 

This is a highly visible role requiring strong technical depth, business acumen, and executive communication skills. The ideal candidate combines deep fluency in Python and SQL with strong leadership instincts, and a passion for using data science to create measurable business value.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and grow a team of data scientists and a data science product manager focused on delivering production-ready ML models in support of NDR’s mission.
• Guide discovery, scoping, and business case development for data science opportunities across the company, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities and ROI potential.
• Personally contribute to solution design, data preparation, model development, and deployment architecture for key ML initiatives.
• Own the full model lifecycle: from exploration and prototyping to production deployment, performance monitoring, and iterative refinement.
• Partner with data engineering and ML/AI Ops teams to ensure scalable, monitored deployments via Snowflake, DataRobot, and real-time APIs.
• Drive rigorous standards for model validation, performance evaluation, documentation, and reproducibility.
• Establish clear roadmaps and delivery timelines in collaboration with your product manager, ensuring transparency and alignment with business partners.
• Present complex analytical concepts and model results to executive stakeholders in a clear, impactful manner.
• Promote best practices in ethical AI use, model explainability, and responsible ML across all stages of delivery.
• Collaborate closely with the rest of the Data & AI leadership team to ensure organizational cohesion, reuse of curated data, and unified enablement of AI-powered capabilities.

Qualifications

Education/Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree required. Bachelor's or Advanced degree in Data Science, Business Analytics, Computer Science, or related field strongly preferred.
• 10 years of experience in data science or applied machine learning roles, with 2 or more years in a formal team leadership or player-coach capacity.
• Proven track record of deploying production-grade machine learning models in a business environment, including batch and real-time use cases.
• Strong understanding of supervised and unsupervised learning algorithms and use cases.
• Hands-on experience with model deployment workflows, including performance monitoring, drift detection, and ongoing retraining.
• Demonstrated success partnering with product, engineering, and business stakeholders to deliver measurable impact from data science initiatives.
• Experience building or guiding models using tools such as Snowflake, DataRobot, or comparable platforms.
• Experience with Snowflake-native ML workflows or MLOps pipelines integrated with Snowflake.
• Understanding of model governance, explainability, and responsible AI practices.
• Experience in financial services, lending, or other high-volume, consumer-facing environments.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Expert-level proficiency in Python and SQL, including experience with feature engineering, model pipelines, and exploratory analysis.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain technical concepts to non-technical audiences, including executive stakeholders.
• Strong project management and prioritization skills; able to manage multiple concurrent initiatives and tradeoffs.
• Ability to foster a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Familiarity with DataRobot, Sagemaker, or other model hosting/monitoring platforms.
• Exposure to prescriptive analytics techniques (e.g., optimization models) in addition to predictive modeling.

National Debt Relief Role Qualifications:

• Computer competency and ability to work with a computer.
• Prioritize multiple tasks and projects simultaneously.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Punctuality expected, ready to report to work on a consistent basis.
• Attain and maintain high performance expectations on a monthly basis.
• Work in a fast-paced, high-volume setting.
• Use and navigate multiple computer systems with exceptional multi-tasking skills.
• Remain calm and professional during difficult discussions.
• Take constructive feedback.

About National Debt Relief

 

 

National Debt Relief was founded in 2009 with the goal of helping an expanding number of consumers deal with overwhelming debt. We are one of the most-trusted and best-rated consumer debt relief providers in the United States. As a leading debt settlement organization, we have helped over 450,000 people settle over $10 billion of debt, while empowering them to lead a healthier financial lifestyle and feel free to live their best life. At National Debt Relief, we treat our clients like real people. Our purpose is to elevate, empower, and transform their lives.

 

Rated A+ by the Better Business Bureau, our goal is to help individuals and families get out of debt with the least possible cost through conducting financial consultations, educating the consumer and recommending the appropriate solution. We become our clients' number one advocate to help them reestablish financial stability as quickly as possible.

 

National Debt Relief is a certified Great Place to Work®!

Forbes names National Debt Relief Best Debt Settlement Company of 2024!

Fortune names National Debt Relief Among Best Workplaces in New York!

3X Award Winner for Best Customer Service, Best Experience with Staff, and Best for Transparency by Consumer Affairs!

National Debt Relief for Best Remote Places to Work 2025!

Compensation Information

Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for each position across the US. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. This good faith pay range is provided in compliance with NYC law and the laws of other jurisdictions that may require a salary range in job postings. The salary for this position is $195,500 to $225,000 annually.

Benefits

National Debt Relief is a team-oriented environment full of rewards and growth opportunities for our employees. We are dedicated to our employee's success and growth within the company, through our employee mentorship and leadership programs.

 

Our extensive benefits package includes:

• Generous Medical, Dental, and Vision Benefits
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Holidays, Volunteer Time Off, Sick Days, and Vacation
• 12 weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Pre-tax Transit Benefits
• No-Cost Life Insurance Benefits
• Voluntary Benefits Options
• ASPCA Pet Health Insurance Discount
• Access to your earned wages at any time before payday

 

National Debt Relief is a certified Great Place to Work®!

 

National Debt Relief is an equal opportunity employer and makes employment decisions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other status protected by law.

 

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